Transport carts configured to be locked to the sidewalls of a transportation vehicle for distributing product

ABSTRACT

A series of transport carts are positioned in side by side relation in fore and aft extending spaced apart rows disposed along a delivery van to leave an aisle between them. The carts have wheel supported upright frames with bottom supports for the products disposed at a level above the floor of the van and open fronts from which the carts can be unloaded. The carts have rear posts which are disengageably locked in track sections provided in longitudinally spaced relation along the van side walls. Pallets with discs projecting downwardly from the floors of the pallets support the product stacks on the cart bottom supports. A hand truck with a bifurcated nose plate defining disc receiving arms engages under each pallet to enable removal of a pallet and product stack from the cart.

This invention is both a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/910,236 filed Jul. 20, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,634 which isin turn a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/315,403 filedMay 20, 1999 now abandoned and entitled to the priority of both U.S.provisional application Ser. Nos. 60/094,439, filed Jul. 28, 1998, nowabandoned, and 60/086,135 filed May 20, 1998, now abandoned, and acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/910,235, filed Jul.20, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No 6,655,892, which is a national filing of PCTapplication No. PCT/US99/10844, filed Jan. 5, 2000, entitled to thepriority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/116,473, filed Jan.20, 1999, all of which are incorporated herein, and relates generally tothe methods and apparatus to facilitate the distribution of beveragesand more particularly to the manufacture and handling of transportationdevices and methods for carrying products such as stacked cases ofbeverage containers for transport in a delivery vehicle. Typically, thevehicle moves the carts from a manufacturing facility or distributioncenter to a retailer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The dominant method of beverage distribution essentially has consideredthe beverage truck driver a salesman. The driver's truck is loaded witha selection of beverages, and the driver calls on accounts on a route.At each account, the driver determines what beverages are required ordesired by the account, then the driver locates the beverages in histruck, unloads the beverages and delivers them to the account. Thisprocess would be relatively easy if only a single beverage wereinvolved. For instance, if the driver only distributed a single brand ofsoda, his truck would be completely loaded with that one beverage, andit could be easily unloaded at each account, and accounts could beserviced until the truck was completely empty. However, most trucks areloaded with a variety of brands and container sizes, requiringconsiderable effort by the driver to fill an order.

Accordingly, it is desirable to create a new beverage delivery systemwhich takes full advantage of information available when a truck isloaded to improve delivery service. The truck can be loaded tospecifically meet the orders of each account on a route and to minimizethe time needed to select and unload the beverages ordered by eachindividual account.

Side loading route trucks are typically used for commercial deliveriesto sales outlets that receive merchandise through a door at groundlevel, as opposed to a loading dock. Most bulk deliveries for largeaccounts are made utilizing tractor trailer units to deliver to aloading dock. The trailer has a rear door that open into a largeinterior area with a flat floor. The typical chain store wants such bulkdelivery trucks in and out of their loading docks within a very narrowtime span each morning. Furthermore, chain stores usually prefer to bethe first delivery on a route. In order to satisfy these customerrequirements, bottlers employ a large number of bulk rigs. Some of thesebulk rigs maybe left idle for much of the day following morningdeliveries. The number of bulk rigs that are needed can be reduced byattempting to negotiate appropriate delivery times with chain stores,however this has not been a totally satisfactory solution. In an effortto overcome this problem, U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,132 describes a side loadtrailer which can be configured to carry bulk pallets. While thisinvention addresses the need to more efficiently utilize trailers, itdoes not provide for more efficient delivery of beverages to routeaccounts.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a moreefficient system forgetting products from the point of manufacture ordistribution to the retailer.

It is also an object of the present invention to facilitate the loadingof beverage trucks with beverages sorted by account order rather thanstock keeping unit or “SKU.”

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved truckdesigns to facilitate both the loading and unloading of trucks withbeverages sorted by account order.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide truck designs thatwill permit loading combinations of bulk and route beverage orders.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mobile beverage cartto facilitate the loading and unloading of beverage trucks withbeverages sorted by account order.

It is yet a further object of the inventor to provide a novel pallet foruse with a matching hand truck to facilitate the loading and unloadingof beverage trucks with beverages sorted by account order.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A transport and delivery system constructed and operated according tothe invention utilizes a series of preferably wheeled carts havingupstanding back and side retention members or walls, which have beenloaded at a manufacturing and/or distribution facility with stacks ofcontainers advantageously presorted by brand and quantity according tothe orders to be filled. These stacks are preferably built onmini-pallets such that a given cart may be loaded with one or several(four for example) of such mini-stacks.

The location of each prefilled order may be recorded as to which cart orcarts are involved, and as to the particular location of the stack orstacks within the carts. For example, a given order might be containedin cart No. 4, stacks 1–3. Once filled with product, the carts arewheeled into an elongate delivery van or trailer of conventionalmanufacture and positioned so that the carts line the opposite walls ofthe trailer in two laterally spaced rows leaving a center aisle down themiddle of the trailer wide enough to access the carts with a two-wheeledhand truck.

The cart floors are preferably supported above the level of the floor ofthe trailer on wheels or other appropriate motive supports. A falsefloor may be provided along the aisle to elevate the walkway to thelevel of the cart floors, so that an operator, using a two-wheeled handtruck, is able to access the mini-stacks in the carts with the handtruck. The false floor is provided by opposing sets of retractable decksections carried off the forward edge of each cart which can be movedinto the aisle to form an elevated sectionalized walkway.

The deck sections have automatically folded and restored front supportleg structures. The deck sections are disclosed as including at leastone gas spring operative to assist an operator to move the deck sectionsbetween the extended and stowed positions. The springs also exert aconstant downward biasing force on the deck sections which serves tomaintain them in position during transport over any rough terrain andfurther act to retain the deck sections in the stowed and use positions.

The trailer van, which preferably opens at its back end, is fitted witha powered lift gate that can be raised to the level of the floor of thetrailer. The false floor is thus supported above the level of the liftgate. According to a further aspect of the invention, a ramp ispositioned between the false floor and lift gate to provide a transitionfrom the elevated false floor to the lift gate. The ramp preferablyincludes a foldable section that, in use, extends out of the trailer andonto the lift gate and, when stowed, is hinged inwardly of the trailervan to accommodate closing of the back door(s) of the trailer.

According to the operation of the system, the carts, once loaded intoand locked in the trailer, are transported along with the hand truckfrom the manufacturing and/or distribution center to the various retaildelivery sites. Since the orders for each site may be prebuilt accordingto the type and quantity of the various brands of beverages or otherproducts, the operator need only locate the order, remove theministack(s) of containers from the cart(s) with the hand truck, andwheel the load(s) along the elevated false floor formed by the decksections, down the ramp and onto the elevated lift gate, which is thenlowered to the ground to enable the operator to wheel the order into thefacility of the business receiving them. When the deliveries arecompleted, the emptied trailer may then be returned to the distributioncenter where the deck sections are returned to their stowed positions,and the empty carts are unlocked and removed from the trailer. Thetrailer can then be loaded with a waiting set of carts preloaded withadditional orders, and the off-loaded emptied carts can be recycled tohandle future orders.

Considerable labor and time is saved with this system, enabling deliverypersonnel to service a greater number of retail customers in a givenregion, complete their routes in less time, and service expandedterritories.

THE DRAWINGS

A presently preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in thefollowing description and in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the ordering and delivery processin an advanced order fulfillment system;

FIG. 2 shows mobile beverage carts according to the present inventionsbeing used to gather selected beverages by account order in a beveragewarehouse facility;

FIG. 3 is an schematic perspective rear elevational view of a transportsystem constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view schematically illustrating thepositioning of the carts within the trailer;

FIG. 5A is a front elevational view of a transport cart constructedaccording to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is an elevational view of a leading side of the cart of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is an elevational view of the opposite trailing side of the cartof FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D is a top plan view of the cart of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5E is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generallyalong lines 5E—5E of FIG. 5D;

FIG. 5F is a top plan view like FIG. 6 but showing a cargo retentiontarp in its use and stowed positions;

FIG. 5G is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alonglines 5G—5G of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5H is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion ofthe cart, taken generally along lines 5H—5H of FIG. 5C;

FIG. 5I is a bottom plan view of the deck of the cart of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5J is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along lines5J—5J of FIG. 5I;

FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of a mini-pallet constructedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of a mini-pallet constructed accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 6C is a side sectional view of the mini-pallet of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 6D is a front plan view of the mini-pallet of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 7A shows a flexible restraining door adapted for use across theaisle of a trailer according to the present invention or otherwise torestrain product on mini-pallets not located in a mobile beverage cart;

FIG. 7B shows a flexible restraining door adapted for use with a mobilebeverage cart according to the present invention;

FIG. 7C is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view showingdetails of the cart locking system;

FIG. 8A a side elevational view of a hand truck having a nose plateconstructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view taken generallyalong lines 8B—8B of FIG. 8A; and

FIG. 9A shows a schematic layout of a rear entry route delivery vehicleutilized with mobile beverage carts according to the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a powered gate on a rear entry routedelivery trailer according to the present invention;

FIG. 9C is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing details of the cartlock system;

FIG. 9D is a fragmentary side elevational view showing details of thecart locking system,

FIG. 9E is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional plan view takengenerally along lines 9E—9E of FIG. 9D;

FIG. 9F is an exploded view of an alternative pin latching systemutilized to hold mobile beverage carts to the delivery trailer wallaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 9G shows the latching system of FIG. 9F restraining a corner postof a mobile beverage cart;

FIG. 10A is a schematic layout of a rear entry route delivery vehicleaccording to the present invention, which utilizes folding bay walls tocontain beverage pallet stacks according to the present invention;

FIG. 10B details the folding bay wall structure of the trailer of therear entry route delivery vehicle of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a schematic layout of a rear entry route delivery vehicleconfigured for combination bulk and route delivery;

FIG. 11B is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generallyalong lines 11—11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 shows a side plan view of an alternative mobile beverage cartutilized with a forklift rather than casters.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of an accompanyingramp constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a modified cart side and back wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the communication which takes place prior to the loadingand delivering of beverage products according to the present invention.Specifically, bulk customers such as mass-market and supermarket stores13 with loading docks, smaller retailers accepting delivery at groundlevel 12, and even individual vending machines 11, communicate theirproduct needs by telephone 9, 14 as illustrated, computer networks andsatellite linkages to the data processing facilities 16 of the beveragemanufacturer. The order information is processed at the data center 16and made available to the personnel in the beverage warehouse 10.Traditionally, both bulk delivery tractor-trailer trucks for mass-marketand supermarket stores and side load route trucks for smaller accountswould be utilized as delivery vehicles 17. However, according to thepresent invention, both bulk and route accounts may be delivered fromthe same trailers. Accordingly, a preferred delivery trailer willcomprise a 28′-6″ long rear entry trailer, typically with a 102″ outerwidth and 98″ inner width. The trailer requires approximately 12½′ roadclearance. The trailer is provided with a rail-type lift gate, which isICC bar and dock lock compatible. Preferably the lift gate will be ableto proceed from up to down location within 15 seconds, and have acapacity of 3,500 to 4,000 lbs. The gate should have approximately a 5′deep work area, with a 16″ taper downward toward the ground. Also, it ispreferable that the ramp operational controls travel with the operator.An optional curbside ramp may also be provided.

FIG. 2 illustrates one method of utilizing the mini-pallets 30 andmini-pallet containers 21 according to the present invention to prepareaccount orders for loading in delivery vehicles. A person designated asthe order filler 19 for a particular route will be provided with aprintout or handheld computer display showing the orders of eachcustomer on the route. Preferably the printouts will then be attached toclips 26 on the mobile beverage carts 21 for easy reference duringpicking and delivery. The order filler 19 will take an empty mobilebeverage cart 21 and place four stacks including mini-pallets 30 on thefloor of that container 21. It will be understood that mini-palletcontainers 21 could be configured for less or more stacks but four is agood compromise of weight, maneuverability and efficiency. Furthermore,a plurality of mini-pallet containers 21 could be joined together suchas by connector 24. Each customer order is then built separately andcolumn stacked 31 on one or more of the mini-pallets 30. Once themini-pallet container 21 is full or the order is complete, the filler 19may load a delivery vehicle 17 (shown in FIG. 1).

It will also be understood that mini-pallet 30 product stacks 31 maybeassembled by an automated processes rather than the manual pulling ofmini-pallet containers 21 past appropriate warehouse beverage pallets36, 37, 38 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Instead, layers of product orindividual product cases may be picked and placed on a conveyer systemand released either manually or by recognition from a vision scanner tothe appropriate location to create each product stack 31 on mini-pallets30. Appropriately configured products stacks 31 may then be loaded ontheir mini-pallets 30 either into mini-pallet containers 21 or directlyonto a delivery vehicle 17.

A product support and delivery system constructed according to thepresent invention is shown generally at 20 in FIGS. 3 and 4 andcomprises a plurality of wheeled modules or carts 21, positionablewithin a van trailer 22 along opposite side walls 23 thereof on a floor124 of the trailer 22 in longitudinally extending rows R¹, R² whichextend from a front wall 125 of the trailer 22 toward the back 126thereof. Space is provided between the adjacent rows R¹, R², defining acenter aisle for accommodating the passage of a hand truck 27 (FIGS. 8A,8B) used by an operator to remove multiple mini-stacks of palletedcontainers 31 from the carts 21 for transport to a retail salesfacility.

The interior of the trailer 22 is preferably wood with an E-track on thesides and front. The walls and ceiling should be insulated and thereshould be interior light with a light switch inside the trailer 22.Typical trailers 22 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 9A, 9B, and 11A will hold 7mobile beverage carts such as mini-pallet containers 21, 121 asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, along each side, and the center aislemaybe utilized to hold pallets to form a false bottom and a curb ramp154. Optional equipment will include a heater, an automatic trailer dooropener, a box for deposit returns, and pineal hooks in order to allow asingle tractor to pull two or three trailers.

Turning now to the construction of the cart 21, and with reference toFIGS. 5, 7C, 9C and 11B, and initially to FIG. 5, the identical carts 21each include a rigid frame structure provided by a rectangular baseframe 28 mounting a set of four caster wheels 29, one of which islockable via a lock pin mechanism 130 (FIG. 5C) to preclude normalmovement of the cart 21 when locked. A floor or product support member131 on the cart 21 is carried by the base frame 28 to provide a surfaceabove the van floor on which the stacked containers 31 are supported. Aset of front 32 and back 33 vertical corner rails are fixed at theirlower ends to the corners of the base frame 28 and extend upwardlytherefrom. They are interconnected along three sides adjacent theirupper ends by upper side 34 and back 35 cross rails.

Each cart 21 is closed on three of its sides and incorporates a pair ofside panels 136 and a back panel 137. The front 138 of the cart 21 isopen to permit loading and unloading of the stacked containers 31 (FIG.5C) from the cart 21. The side and back panels 136, 137 are secured tothe framing of the cart and maybe fabricated from any of a number oftough, generally rigid materials, such as aluminum plating or syntheticplastic sheets. The panels 136, 137 are preferably molded organicpolymeric structures fabricated from materials such as a heavy gaugethermoformed polypropylene or polyethylene, engineered plastics, or thelike, to provide lightweight, durable, corrosion resistant, readilycleanable walls for the cart 21. FIG. 5H illustrates the preferredmanner of securing the panels 136, 137 to the rails 32–35 and base 28.The rails 32–35 are preferably formed as extrusions and include achannel or groove 39 in which a peripheral tongue 40 on the panels 136,137 is received, such that the panels 136, 137 are captured andpermanently retained by the base 28 and rails 32–35 without need forfasteners.

The floor 131 of the cart 21 is preferably angled so as to tiltdownwardly from the front 138 toward the back 137 of the cart 21 at anangle of about 3 to 5 degrees. The slight angle of the floor 131 servesto tilt the stacks of containers 31 inwardly of the carts 21 away fromthe aisle to stabilize the load during transport, as illustrated in FIG.5C.

Referring to FIGS. 5D and 5E, the floors or bottom supports 131 of thecarts 21 are preferably fabricated from a series of elongate floorsections 41, each having a flat load-supporting upper wall 42 andunderlying beam formations 43 along their edges. The beams 43 ofadjacent panels have interlocking portions 44, 45 (FIG. 5E) that, wheninterfitted, join the panels 41 to provide a continuous reinforced floorsurface 131 which is secured to the base frame 28, such as by welding orwith mechanical fasteners. The interior space of each cart 21 is sizedto accommodate multiple, and preferably four, mini-stacks of thecontainers 31, each supported on an associated mini-pallet 30, asillustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5C.

Two rows of commercially available E-track 46 a, 46 b extendhorizontally along and are secured to the interior surface of the side136 and back 137 panels. One row 46 a is located about midway up thepanels 136, 137, and an upper row 46 b is located adjacent the upperends of the panels 136, 137. The E-track 46 is accommodated withinrecesses or channels 47 formed in the panels 136, 137, as illustrated inFIG. 5G, such that the face of the E-track 46 lies generally flush withthe inner surface of the panels 136, 137. The E-track sections 46 maybejoined to the panels 136, 137 by means of rivets 48 or the likeextending through openings 48 a. The tracks 46 have a series of punchedout openings 49 that receive angular end hooks or clips 50 (FIG. 5F)secured to the opposite side edges of a retaining tarp or curtain 51.The tarp 51 can be removed from the stowed position shown and, asillustrated diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 5F, the tarp 51 isoperative to wrap about a partial load to assist in securing the stackof containers from tipping forwardly out of the carts 21 duringtransport. The full extension of the E-track 46 across the side 136 andback 137 panels enables the tarp 51 to secure virtually any size load.The general use of an E-track 46 and belt or curtain 51 securementsystem is known, per se, for retaining cargo in a trailer.

When loading the palleted containers 31 into the carts 21, it isdesirable to have the curtain 51 positioned clear of the open front 138of the cart 21 so as not to interfere with loading. As shown in FIGS. 5Aand 5F, the back panel 137 of the cart 21 is fitted with the keeperbracket 52 on the exterior side thereof in position to receive andreleasibly retain the upper end clip 50 of the curtain 51 when not inuse. As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5F, extending the curtain51 exteriorly of the cart 21 around to the back of the cart 21 enablesthe end clip 50 to be secured in the keeper 52 to support the curtain 51clear of the open front 138 during loading.

As shown best in FIG. 5B, the leading side of the cart 21 is fitted withan upper pull handle 53 and lower tow bar 54 which are shown springbiased to a stowed position against the side panel 136, but which areswingable outwardly of the side panel 136 to an extended position tofacilitate handling of the cart 21. As shown in FIG. 5C, the trailingside of the cart 21 is fitted with a hitch pin 55 projecting downwardlyfrom the base frame 28 and operative to receive and releasibly retainthe tow bar 54 of another cart to enable a number of the carts 21 to betrained together for transport.

In use, a plurality of the carts 21, located at a manufacturing ordistribution center, are loaded with one or more mini-stacks of thecontainers 31 according to the brand and quantity called for by theparticular retail orders to be delivered on a delivery route. Theillustrated carts 21 are designed to hold four such mini-stacks ofcontainers 31 two deep and two wide within the bay of each cart 21 asillustrated in FIG. 4. In this way, each order is preassembled on themini-pallets 30 and loaded onto the carts 21 in preparation for deliveryto the retail sites. The location of each order is recorded such that anorder might be contained in cart 4, pallet 2, for example. The carts 21are equipped with a clip board B (FIG. 5A) secured thereto, with clip a,for holding written records.

FIG. 7B shows a canvas panel 122 in detail with straps 123, ending atE-track buckles 141 and having tightening buckles 142. The panel 122 isalso fitted with a plurality of see-through pockets 149 on each sidewhich may be used in lieu of the clip a to hold customer orderinformation. Modified flexible doors 122 a shown in FIG. 7A maybeutilized to secure mini-pallets loads 31 in the aisle of the trailer asshown in FIGS. 10A and 11A. The preferred embodiment of a canvas panel122 is about 5′ in height and about 39″ in width with a plurality ofbattens in batten pockets 143 to provide vertical rigidity. In additionto batten pockets 143 at the edges of canvas door 122, there is anadditional batten pocket inset approximately 16″ from the left side andanother batten pocket inset approximately 7″ from the right hand side.The canvas strap 123 will typically overhang the width of the canvaspanel section by approximately 5″ on each side. The alternative canvasdoor 122 a utilized across the trailer aisle is typically approximately54″ in width with the middle batten pockets inset approximately 7″ fromeach side.

Returning to the loading process, once the mini-pallet container 21 hasbeen loaded and the product secured with canvas door 122 the mini-palletcontainer 21 is brought to the dock area where a checker will review theproduct in the container 21 against the pallet tickets attached to clipa or placed in pockets 149 for approval. Once approved, the mini-palletcontainer 21 is rolled into the trailer 22 and attached to the trailerwall as by a positioning lock system 56 (shown in FIG. 7C).

Once loaded, the carts 21 are wheeled into the trailer 22 and positionedend-to-end along the side walls 23 forming the two long rows R¹, R² ofcarts, as illustrated best in FIG. 3. The front-to-back depth of thecarts 21 is dimensioned to leave space between the cart rows R¹, R² todefine the center walkway or aisle extending the length of the trailer22. It is of sufficient width to accommodate the operator and a handtruck 127 (FIGS. 8A and 8B). The carts 21 are oriented such that theiropen fronts face the aisle. In the present example, the carts 21 have adepth of about 29 inches, providing the aisle formed within aconventional van or enclosed trailer with a width of about 40 inchesbetween the rows R¹, R².

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9C, 7C, 9D and 9E, a cart positioning/locksystem 56 is provided for properly locating and locking the carts 21 inposition within the trailer 22. The system 56 includes a plurality ofcart brackets 57, fixed to the van side walls 23 at predeterminedlocations along the length of the trailer 22, which engage correspondingportions of the carts 21 to locate and secure the carts 21 in position.The locations of the brackets 57 correspond preferably with thelocations of the ends of the carts 21 when positioned in their rows R¹,R² along the sides 23 and preferably in relation to the location ofupright locking post portions 58 projecting from the back corners ofeach cart 21. Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking posts 58preferably comprise extended sections of the back corner rails 33 whichproject above the top rails 34, 35 of the carts 21. The upper ends ofthe locking posts 58 are each fitted with an enlarged end cap 59 havingsides 60 thereof (shown in FIG. 9D) projecting laterally outwardly ofthe posts 58 and fabricated preferably of a tough, low friction,non-marring material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, glass-fillednylon, or the like. The end caps 59 each have a top wall 61 that extendsacross the top of the post 58 on which it is mounted and each is formedwith an opening or socket 62 therein for purposes to be explainedhereinafter.

The brackets 57 are fabricated of a strong, rigid material such asaluminum or structural plastic material, and each has a base portion 63that is secured by rivets R or the like to the sidewall 23, of thetrailer 22, and preferably to a cargo track 64 that is fixed to the sidewall 23, and extends the length of the trailer in position to mount thebrackets 57. The base portions 63 of the brackets 57 support cartretaining portions 65 which are configured and positioned to retain thelocking posts 58 of the carts 21. The cart-retaining bracket portions 65preferably have generally an L-shaped configuration, including a topwall portion 66 that extends transversely away from the side wall 23 onwhich the bracket 57 is mounted in a generally horizontal plane abovethe level of the top posts 58. They further include a forward retainingwall section 67 that projects downwardly from the top wall portion 66 toa level below the free ends of the locking posts 58, and preferablybeyond the end caps 59 as best shown in FIGS. 7C and 9D. The L-shapedconfiguration of the cart-retaining portions 65 provides a lockingchannel 68 that is closed at the top and front by the top wall andretaining wall sections 66, 67, open at the bottom, and open at oppositelongitudinal ends 69.

As shown best in FIGS. 9C, 7C, 9D and 9E, the locking channels 68 areeach dimensioned to receive at least one, and preferably two, lockingposts 58 of adjacent carts 21 into the channel 68 from the open ends 69of the brackets 57. The effective lateral depth dimension is selectedsuch that the forward retaining wall section 67 is positioned outwardlyof the side wall 23 a distance sufficient to allow the end caps 59 ofthe locking posts of the carts 21 to pass behind the wall section 67when the carts 21 are moved along the side wall 23 of the trailer 22 soas to position the locking posts 58 within the channels 68, but yet befairly close in proximity to the posts 58 to restrict the lateral inwardmovement of the carts 21. The structure positively locates and retainsthe carts 21 against the side walls 23 of the trailer 22. It ispreferred that the depth of the channels 68 somewhat exceed the minimumspacing requirements such that a limited amount of play exists betweenthe brackets 57 and the posts 58 to account for tolerances and for easeof moving the posts 58 into and out of the channels 68 (e.g., about ½inch of play). The length dimension of the brackets 57 is selected to beat least as long as, and preferably greater than, the distance betweenthe locking posts 58 of adjacent carts 21 positioned in their rows R¹,R² in substantially end-to-end abutting relationship, as best shown inFIGS. 7C and 9E, so as to accommodate both of such locking posts 58within the same locking channel 68. The center-to-center spacing of thebrackets 57 thus equals or closely approximates the end-to-end spacingof the carts 21.

Alternative means of securing the mini-pallet containers to the trailer22 walls are possible as illustrated in FIGS. 9F and 9G where the pinlock consists of a base plate 171 with protruding upper and lower clevistype members 180 each having first apertures 174 and second apertures177. A U-shaped member 172 having blades 179 on either side of channel178 is then placed between the clevis members 180 and restrained thereby nut 175 and bolt 173. When so restrained by the bolt 173 passingthrough channel 178 and first apertures 174, the U-shaped member 172 isfree to turn from side to side. A mobile beverage cart 21 is then pushedinto position against the protruding clevis type members 180 and theU-shaped member 172 pushed against the corner post 27 of the mobilebeverage cart until one of the forward plates 179 restrains that postfrom moving forward. Pin 176 is then placed through second apertures 177of the clevis type member 180. This prevents the U-shaped member 172from rotating to free the corner post 27. A similar pin lock 170 is alsoapplied to the opposite rear lower post of the mini-pallet container 21.Once all fourteen mini-pallet containers 21 are in the trailer 22, thefold down floors 25 are lowered forming a false floor. In addition, thefold down floors 25 tend to restrain the lower portions of themini-pallet containers from rolling away from the trailer walls 56.Alternatively, if fold down flooring 25 is not provided on themini-pallet containers 21, plastic pallets may be placed in the aisle158 to accomplish a similar purpose. At the end of the false floorcreated either by pallets or fold down floor 25, a ramp section 154 isadded to permit use of handcart 27.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 9E, the top wall section 66 of eachbracket 57 is formed with an opening 70 that is positioned to align withthe socket 62 in the end cap 59 of the aft locking post 58 of each cart21 (that is, the locking post 58 of each cart nearest the rear end 126of the trailer 22). A locking pin 71 associated with each bracket 57 isextendable into the aligned openings 70, 62 to lock the carts 21 to thebrackets 57 and positively locate and secure the carts 21 longitudinallyof the trailer 22. In other words, the carts 21, when locked, areprecluded from longitudinal movement in the trailer 22 and arepositively located in fixed positions with respect to the other carts 21within a row and apart from the other row to thereby maintain the widthof the aisle 158 within predetermined limits. The opening 70 in eachbracket 57 is preferably elongated in the lateral direction asillustrated in FIG. 9E to permit limited lateral movement of the carts21.

As the first cart 21 is wheeled into the trailer 22, it is moved towardthe front 125 and oriented such that its back corner rails 35 arepositioned against one of the side walls 23 of the trailer 22. Theleading locking post 58 of the cart 21 is guided into the open aft end69 (i.e., the end nearest the rear 126 of the trailer) of the lockingchannel 68 of the foremost bracket 57 (i.e., the bracket 57 nearest thefront wall 125 of the van trailer 22), while at the same time thelocking post 58 on the aft or trailing end of the cart 21 is guided intothe locking channel 68 of the next adjacent bracket 57 along the wall.Once the first cart 21 is positioned and the top opening 62 of the aftend cap aligned with the opening 70 of the bracket 57, the foremostlocking pin 71 is extended through the openings 62, 70 from above topositively position and lock the cart 21 releasably to the bracket 58 inposition against the side wall. It is preferred that each locking pin 71be tethered to the bracket 57 or side wall 123 of the trailer 22 by alanyard 181. Once the initial cart in each row R¹, R² is locked intoposition, each subsequent cart 21 can be positioned and retained in asimilar manner until the rows R¹, R² are completed.

Referring now to FIG. 11B, it will be seen that the floors 131 of thecarts 21 are elevated above the level of the floor 124 of the trailer 22on which the carts 21 are supported. The leading front edge of each cartfloor 131 maybe, for example, about 7½ inches above the floor 124 of thetrailer 22.

According to the invention, it is desirable to be able to unload themini-pallets 30 of the containers 31 from the carts 21 using atwo-wheeled hand truck 127. In effecting this, it is further operativelydesirable to support the hand truck 127 at generally the level of thecart floors 131 for engaging, lifting and transporting the mini-stacks31 with the hand truck 127. According to the invention, a false elevatedfloor FF is provided in the aisle 158 between the rows R¹, R² to providean upper surface that is substantially level with the almost abuttingforward edges of the cart floors 131. While various methods ofconstructing a false floor FF, such as by laying down overturned palletsor multiple false floor sections in the aisle 158 are possible, thesafest approach is to integrate such false flooring with the beveragecarts 21.

Referring to FIGS. 4,5B, 5C, 11B, 5I and 5J, each cart 21 is providedwith a deck section 72 having a generally rectangular platformconfiguration of predetermined length between opposite ends 72 a, 72 bthereof and a predetermined width between opposite front and back edges72 c, 72 d thereof. The cart deck sections 72 are mounted by pivots orhinges 72 e (FIG. 9D) along their back upper edges 72 d to the frontends of the cart base frames 28. Each deck section 72 is pivotal aboutthe axes of the hinges 72 e between an upright, stowed or closedposition, illustrated in broken chain lines in FIG. 5C, in which thedeck section 72 extends along and is generally flush with the frontcorner rails 32 of the cart 21, and a downwardly pivoted operatingposition, illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 4, 5, and 9, in which anupper surface 72 f of each deck section 72 is substantially horizontaland level with the forward edge of the cart floor 131 so as to form ahorizontal extension of the cart floor 131 forwardly of the cart 21.

With particular attention to FIGS. 5C, 5I, and 5J, the deck sections 72have support legs 73 mounted pivotally at 73 a to the underside of thedeck sections 72 adjacent the forward free edges 72 c of the decksections 72. The legs 73 may be referenced singly or multiply as legstructure. The legs 73 are coupled adjacent their lower free ends toforwardly extending brackets 28 a, fixed to the base frame 28, bylinkages, including rigid, non-foldable links 74, pivoted at theirrespective front and rear ends to the legs 73 and base frame brackets 28a. The links 74 react to and are moveable with the pivoting movement ofthe deck sections 72 to position the legs 73 between a retractedposition folded beneath and into the deck sections 72 when the decksections are moved to the stowed position (shown as a broken chain linein FIG. 5C), and an extended floor-engaging vertical position inresponse to movement of the deck sections 72 to the horizontal useposition (FIG. 5C). The links 74 are pivoted at 74 a and 74 b. It willbe seen that the pivots 72 e, 74 a, 73 a, and 74 b are arranged ingenerally parallelogram configuration in FIG. 5C with the pivot or hingepoint 72 e of the deck to the cart floor being rearward of link pivots74 a.

The deck sections 72 may be fabricated of any of a number of materialssuch as aluminum decking or various organic polymeric materials, such aspolypropylene, polyethylene, an engineered plastic or resin, orglass-filled plastics. The deck sections 72 in the illustratedembodiment are injection molded plastic members, whose upper surface 72f is continuous and preferably molded with traction enhancing featuresrepresented by the stippled markings in FIG. 5D. The upper surface 72 fis backed by structural ribbing 75, as shown in FIGS. 5I and 5J, torender the deck sections 72 rigid and capable of supporting thecomposite weight of an operator, hand truck, and a load of stackedcontainers 31. The underside is preferably formed with recesses 76 ofsuch dimension and location as to accommodate the folding of the legs 73and the links 74 (FIG. 5I) into nested position within the deck section72 when the deck section is moved to the stowed vertical position.

The deck sections 72 are spring-controlled in their movement between thestowed and use positions by gas springs 77 which bias the decks 72over-center as the deck sections 72 move to operating position. Thesprings 77 positively retain or lock the deck sections 72 in both thestowed and use positions (FIG. 5C). At least one or more, preferablytwo, gas springs 77 form part of the linkages or linkage assemblies. Thegas springs 77 are of the usual type having a gas-filled cylinder 78 anda piston rod 79 which is extendable and retractable relative to thecylinder 78. The gas springs 77 have a socket coupling 80 at each end(FIG. 5I), connected to a laterally extending ball stud 81 provided oneach cart on the deck section 72 and on the base frame 28, respectively.The gas springs 77 are of such length and are positioned relative to thehinge axis of each deck section 72 so as to assist an operator in bodilypositioning the deck section 72 between the stowed and use positions,while moving over-center of the hinge axis as the deck section 72 movesto its extreme positions to provide spring-biased retention of the decksection 72 in the stowed and use positions. The gas springs 77 in thestowed position are accommodated within recesses 77 a formed in theunderside of the deck sections 72 (FIG. 5I).

In operation, once the carts 21 are loaded and locked in their rows R¹,R² within the trailer 22, the deck sections 72 are manually pivoteddownwardly to their horizontal use positions in which the automaticallyoutwardly pivoted legs 73 engage the floor 124 of the trailer 22. In thestowed position of decks 72, the gas springs maintain a pressure whichmust be overcome in order to swing the decks 72 out of the lockedposition. Because of the leverage resulting from manually pushing thefront edge of each deck 72 downwardly, and the weight of the deckitself, little force is needed to compress the gas springs 77sufficiently to initiate and maintain downward pivoting of the decksection and cause links 74 to move legs 73 from nested position to anextended position in which gas springs 77 bias them downwardly.

When the compressing gas springs move past center (i.e. hinge axis 72 e)the gas springs exert pressure below the hinge axis 72 e so thatdownward pressure is exerted on the deck 72 and legs 73. This locks orretains the deck in horizontal position. When the deck 72 is to berestored to stowed position, little lifting force is required to extendthe gas springs sufficiently to unlock deck 72 and legs 73. As the deckswings up past the hinging axis 72 e, the gas springs 77, which werecompressed when swung downwardly, assist the upward pivoting movement ofdeck 72 and the pivoting of legs 73 via links 74 toward nested position.As shown best in FIGS. 4, 11B, and 9C, the predetermined length andwidth dimensions of the substantially abutting deck sections 72 are soselected as to provide a near-continuous elevated false floor surfacealong the aisle 158 at the same level as the front edge of the floor 131of the carts 21, while the deck sections 72 of longitudinally adjacentand laterally opposite carts 21 may be sized to substantially abut oneanother, it is preferred that some play be provided to account fortolerances and variations in the positioning of the carts by thebrackets 57. For example, about a half to one inch spacing S between thefacing sides 72 a, 72 b and front edges 72 c of adjacent deck sections72 will provide a near-continuous false floor FF while allowing forvariations in tolerance and positioning (FIG. 9C).

The van trailer 22 is preferably of the type having a back door or doors82 (FIG. 13) that open to provide access to the interior of the trailer22. A conventional powered lift gate 83 provided at the unloading dockis movable between an elevated position (FIG. 13) in which an uppersurface 84 of the gate is level with the floor 124 of the trailer 22,and a lowered ground-engaging position facilitating the off-loading ofcargo from the trailer 22. It will be seen from FIG. 13 that the falsefloor FF provided by the deck sections 72 is at a level above the uppersurface 84 of the lift gate 83 when the latter is in the elevatedposition.

According to one aspect of the invention, a ramp, generally designated85, is positioned between the false floor FF and the lift gate 83 toprovide a transition between the floor FF and platform of the lift gate83. The ramp 85 has a body 86 supported on the floor 124 of the trailer22 adjacent the exposed side edges 87 of the rearward-most deck sections72 of the carts 21. A pair of upturned hooks 88 are mounted on a forwardend of the ramp body 86 and are extendable beneath the exposed sideedges 72 b of the rearward-most deck sections 72 where they are receivedin corresponding recesses or sockets 89 provided on the underside of thedeck sections 72 for securing the ramp 85 releasably to the falseflooring end sections.

The body 86 of the ramp 85 has a sloped support surface 90 that extendsfrom the false floor FF to the upper surface 84 of the lift gate 83. Thesupport surface 90 is preferably segmented to include a fixed section 91and a hinged section 92 that is moveable about hinge 92 a selectivelybetween an extended use position shown in solid lines in FIG. 13 inwhich the section 92 extends over and is supported on the surface 84 ofthe lift gate 83, and a stowed position, shown in broken chain lines, inwhich the section 92 is folded inwardly of the door 82 of van trailer 22and its fixed section 91, so as to provide clearance for the closing ofthe back door(s) 82 of the van or trailer 22.

Upon arrival at a point of delivery, the operator simply wheels the handtruck 27 down the aisle along the elevated false floor FF and selectsthe cart or carts 21 and location or locations of the mini-stacks ofcontainers 31 within the cart(s) corresponding to the particular orderinvolved. The hand truck 27 (FIG. 8A), except for the nose plate whichwill be described hereinafter, is of conventional construction and hasan upright handled frame 93 mounting a pair of wheels 94 off the back ofthe frame 93, and a nose plate 95 off the front of the frame 93. Atypical hand truck is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,182.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the nose plate 95 illustrated has a generallyL-shaped profile with a generally horizontal load-supporting platform 96and an upright back wall 97 fixed to the frame and supporting theplatform 96.

To off-load the appropriate mini-stacks of containers 31, the operatorsimply extends the platform 96 of the nose plate 95 beneath themini-pallet 30, which is elevated above the floor 131 of the cart 21 byspaced side feet or rails 98 (shown in FIGS. 6A–6D to provide clearancebelow the mini pallet 30 for the nose plate 95. Once positioned, theoperator rocks the hand truck 27 rearwardly to transfer the palletedcontainers 31 onto the hand truck 27.

The mini-pallets involved with the present system has, in addition toside feet 98, a downwardly projecting central disc or piloting pad 99that is generally cylindrical in configuration and engages the floor 131of the cart 21. The pad 99 is spaced inwardly from the front edge of themini-pallet 30. One preferred embodiment of the mini-pallets 30according to the present invention, designed in cooperation with RehrigPacific Company, Inc., is illustrated in FIGS. 6A–D. The primaryfunctional aspects of the mini-pallets 30 include an upper open workplanar surface 133 approximately 11″×17″ in size. This size willaccommodate a case of 12 ounce canned beverages and other equivalent SKUpackage sizes. The mini-pallet 30 should not have a raised flange at theedges as the various SKUs have differing dimensions. Furthermore,mini-pallets 30 have a central support, or piloting pad 99 (FIG. 6D),which is preferably circular in shape. At the longitudinal edges ofmini-pallets 30 are supporting legs 98 which together with the centersupport 99 provide approximately ¾″ clearance for the planar open worksurface 133. The planar surface 133 preferably contains many openingsnot only to reduce the amount of material used in manufacture, but alsoto permit easy drainage for any inadvertent beverage leakage. Bevels atthe ends of supporting legs 98 are preferably approximately 45°. Thediameter of the center support 99 is preferably about 3″.

The mini-pallets 30 are adapted to be utilized in connection withspecially configured hand-trucks. A suitable hand-truck is the narrowaisle configuration of hand-truck model number B16-D-1040-C45-62available from MagLine, Inc. The wing or tongue 96 of hand truck 27shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is specifically adapted to include a recess 100sized only slightly larger than the center support 99 of mini-pallet 30.The tongue 96 maybe inserted in the approximate ¾″ clearance space 151beneath a loaded mini-pallet 30. In this fashion hand truck 127 maybeused to easily lift the mini-pallet and any stack of soft drinks 31 onthe pallet 30. The mating of the tongue recess 100 of hand truck 127 andthe central support member 99 of the mini-pallet assists in thepositioning of the hand truck tongue 96 centrally beneath themini-pallet 30. When stacked, the central support 99 and edge supports98 of a top mini-pallet 30 fit into corresponding indentations 129, 128as shown in FIG. 8B, of a bottom mini-pallet.

To accommodate disc 99, platform 96 is provided with a recess or cut-out100 that extends from a forward edge 101 of the platform 96 inwardlytoward the back wall 97 and terminates short of the back wall 97. Thecurvilinear base 102 of the cut-out 100 conforms in size, shape andlocation to the circular pad or disc 99 on the mini-pallet 30. Such anose plate 95 enables the mini-pallets 30 to be fully received andsupported on the platform 96 with the pad 99 accommodated within thecutout 100.

It is preferred also that the cut-out 100 have side walls 103 thatconverge from the forward edge 101 to the base 102 for piloting the pad99 into the cut-out 100. A taper of about 5 degrees is preferable. Thecut out 100 gives the platform 96 a generally U-shaped configuration,when viewed in plan as in FIG. 8B, which has side portions 104 on eitherside of the cut-out 100 joined by a flat connecting or bridging plateportion 105 extending behind the cut-out 100 continuously between theside portions 104. The provision of the continuous connecting orbridging plate portion 105 provides the platform 95 with strength andrigidity to prevent it, and particularly the side portions 104, fromflexing under load.

As shown in FIG. 14, alternatively, the side and back walls 136 and 137are modified to provide viewing slots 106 which are provided in twovertical rows 107 and 108 extending along the side edges of the side andback walls 136 and 137, respectively. The through slots 106 arediagonally disposed to enhance their viewing function.

Once the palleted containers 31 are loaded onto the platform 96 of thehand truck 27, the operator simply wheels the hand truck 27 along theelevated false floor FF toward the open back 126 of the trailer 22, downthe ramp 85, and onto the elevated lift gate 83, whereupon the gate 83is lowered to the ground to permit the containers 31 to be wheeled intothe facility of the retailer or other receiving party. The process isrepeated until the delivery of the order is completed, after which thehand truck 27 is loaded onto the vehicle, the ramp 85 folded to thestowed position, the door(s) of the trailer 22 closed, and the trailertransported to the next delivery site.

Once the trailer 22 has been emptied of product, it is returned to thedistribution center where the ramp 85 is detached and removed, the decksections 72 raised to their stowed positions, and the carts 21 unlockedand removed from the trailer 22 in reverse order for restocking with newproduct.

If a combination route is being assembled with both bulk and routeaccounts, the last two mini-pallet containers 21 on either side of theaisle 158 maybe rolled in the aisle 158 toward the front of the trailer22 and secured using an aisle canvas door 122 a. This will permit theloading of four bulk pallets 159 in the rear of trailer 22. Aspreviously mentioned, the use of aisle pallet doors will also permit theloading of separate mini-pallet 30 and product 31 stacks in the aisle158 as shown in FIGS. 11A and 10A.

If a combination route is assembled, bulk pallets 159 must be deliveredfirst. Once that delivery has taken place, the mini-pallet containers 21in the aisle 158 may be relocated to the sidewalls of the trailer 22 andthe route may continue.

Once at an account on his route, the driver will unfold the lift gate152 and open the rear door 155. The driver may then lower and ride upthe lift gate 152 to a position level with the trailer floor and locatethe product stacks 31 and the mini-pallet container 21 which correspondto the stock. The stop number is preferably located on each palletticket and attached to an easily visible clip bar 26 or placed in aclear plastic pocket 149 on the front of the canvas door 122 within eachbay or mini-pallet or on each mini-pallet container 21. The driver thenreleases the straps 123 on the canvas door 122 and opens the door to themini-pallet container 21 exposing the product stacks for that account.The product stacks 31 are then removed using the two-wheel hand truck 27which is designed to interface with the mini-pallet 30 at the bottom ofeach stack of product 31. Hand trucks 27 preferably have wheels spacedonly about 18″ or less apart to permit sufficient maneuverability withinthe trailer 22.

If not too voluminous, the entire order, which may include multiplemini-pallet stacks 31, may be placed on the lift gate 152 and lowered toground level for delivery. Once the delivery is completed, the driverthen returns to the vehicle with any returned product, shells, or emptymini-pallets 30 and places them into an empty mini-pallet container 21and secures the load with the canvas door 122 and straps 123. The driverthen proceeds to the next account. When the route is complete thevehicle returns to the beverage warehouse 10 and is checked in at thegate or dock. Prior to loading for the next route, the vehicle is backedinto the dock to be stripped. If plastic pallets are utilized in theaisle to form a false floor, they are removed or alternatively foldingfloor sections 25 are folded up, and each mini-pallet container 21 isreleased from the wall and rolled off the trailer 22 by an order filler19. The canvas doors 122 to the mini-pallet containers 21 are opened andwrapped around to the back or side of the containers 21 and attached.Then the mini-pallet containers 21 are ready for the order filler 19 topull around the warehouse 10, possibly using a man ride tugger vehicle,to return any shells or returned product to the appropriate locationwithin the warehouse, and commence the order filling process previouslydescribed.

It will be appreciated that this delivery system provides increasedproductivity and maximizes case delivery per hour on delivery routes, inlarge part by reduction of frequency of handling product. In addition,this results in improved customer service levels, reduced instances ofmisloaded products, provides more time for delivery personnel to attendto product presentation in the customer outlet, and permits a driver tomore accurately meet customer delivery window times. The mini-pallets 30according the present invention will reduce product damage both duringhandling with hand trucks 27, and when utilized as a base for in-storeproduct displays by retailers.

The mini-pallet system also facilitates the accommodation of many SKU'sin a single trailer 22 by moving the order building process to therelatively spacious and well-stocked warehouse facilities instead of thebays of a side delivery trailer. The loading and delivery processprovides an ergonomically friendly work environment, with reducedlifting and twisting for delivery drivers, and no necessity to digproduct out of side load truck product bins. This should result inextended work force tenure through both improved employee morale, andreduced workplace injuries. Furthermore, the improved route trucktrailer 22 permits unparalleled delivery flexibility in that the sametrailers can be used to deliver both bulk and route accounts on the sameroute, or be used completely for route accounts, or the trailer can beconverted to complete bulk account usage by removing the mini-palletcontainers.

An alternative mini-pallet container 121 depicted in FIG. 12, maybeutilized to avoid the maintenance issues associated with casters 29 onmini-pallet containers 21. Such a mini-pallet container 121 wouldrequire a fork lift 19, utilizing a custom clip attachment, to load andunload mini-pallet containers 121 from the truck trailer 22. Thesemini-pallet containers 121 could be placed on a man ride pallet jack(not shown) to be traveled around the warehouse 10 by the order filler19. In all other material respects, the use of the mini-pallet container121 in FIG. 12 is similar to the mini-pallet container 21 depicted inFIGS. 3A through 3D. It will be noted that unless the mini-palletcontainers have casters 29, it will not be possible to place a bulk load59 at the end of the trailer 22 and maintain the extra mini-palletcontainers 21 in the aisle of the trailer 50. However, a combinationtrailer can still be loaded simply by utilizing only 10 or 12mini-pallet containers 121 as shown in FIG. 11A, where ten mini-palletcontainers 121 are in place together with four bulk pallets 159 forloading dock delivery.

An alternative trailer configuration is shown if FIG. 10. In thisconstruction, a trailer is provided with fourteen aluminum or plasticfolding bay walls 155, with canvas door and locking pins, shown ingreater detail in FIG. 7B. In this fashion, the folding bay walls 155act to help secure mini-pallet stacks 31 or mobile beverage carts 21 intheir position in the trailer 22. When desired, the folding walls 155can be collapsed flush against the trailer wall 156 to permit thetrailer to be utilized partially or completely for bulk purposes.

It will be understood that yet another variation of the use of accountloaded mini-pallets 30 maybe undertaken without the use of mini-palletcontainers 21, 121. In this scenario, the product stacks 31 are built toaccount orders on mini-pallets 30 within the warehouse and then loadedby hand truck 127 into appropriate bays 157 on the trailer 22. FIG. 10Ashows the use of mini-pallets 30 without any mini-pallet containers 21,121. In this setting, it is unnecessary to have flooring such asprovided by fold down floors 25 to raise the height of the hand truck 27to the level of the mini-pallets 30 within mini-pallet containers 21,121.

In the alternative design of FIG. 10A, the folding curtains 122 are notfound on mini-pallet containers 21, 121, but are instead located at thefront of each bay 157. Once the trailer 22 is loaded, the canvas doors122 are unfolded and attached to retain the product. During the deliveryprocess, the driver/delivery person proceeds through the same stepsexcept the product stacks 31 or mini-pallets 30 are simply unloaded frombays 157 rather than mini-pallet containers 21, 121.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedabove in detail, it is to be understood that variation and modificationscan be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as set forth in the following claims. For example, theinvention can be used with various beverage transport bodies such astrucks or trailers. The vehicle can have somewhat different dimensionsand a different number of bays or mini-pallet containers than describedabove. It is the aim of the appended claims to cover all changes andmodifications that may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A series of transport carts in combination with a transport vehicle,said transport vehicle comprising: side walls, a floor, and an openablerear; said series of transport carts being positioned on motive supportsin side by side relation in fore to aft extending laterally spaced rowswithin said transport vehicle; each of said carts comprising: sideclosures, a rear side, and an open front side facing laterally toward alike cart in an opposite row; said carts also having upwardly projectingrear side lock members with first lock fittings; said transportationvehicle having longitudinally spaced track sections mounted fixedly onsaid transportation side walls in spaced relation to receive and capturesaid lock members on said carts; and said carts having second lockfittings associated with said track sections for disengageablyinterfitting with said first fittings.
 2. The combination of claim 1wherein said lock members comprise upwardly projecting rear postportions, and said first fittings comprise sockets for verticallyreceiving locking pins incorporated with said track section lockfittings.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said track sectionscomprise fore to aft extending track parts open at their ends andbottoms to provide inverted capture channels spaced longitudinally alongsaid transportation vehicle side walls for capturing said upwardlyextending cart lock members within said track sections.
 4. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said cart rear sides have rear posts andsaid lock members comprise upwardly projecting portions of said rearposts which extend above said rear wall, and said track parts arelongitudinally spaced along the side walls of said transportationvehicle at intervals to receive said post portions, and comprise avertical plate portion for attachment to the wall of the transportationvehicle, a mid-portion extending therefrom over said post portions, anda laterally extending portion overlying said post portions.
 5. Thecombination of claim 4 wherein said laterally extending portion isremovably connected to the mid-portion.
 6. The combination of claim 5further comprising a pivot, wherein the laterally extending portion mayrotate relative to said vertical plate portion about the pivot.
 7. Thecombination of claim 6 further comprising a pin, wherein when the pin isinstalled, the laterally extending portion is restrained from rotationabout said pivot.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cart rearsides have rear posts connected by a rear wall and said lock memberscomprise upwardly projecting portions of said rear posts which extendabove said rear wall, and said track parts are longitudinally spacedalong the side walls of said transportation vehicle at intervals toreceive said post portions.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein saidfirst fittings comprise sockets in the upper ends of said post portionsand said second fittings comprise lock pins connecting operably withsaid track parts for reception in said post part sockets.
 10. Thecombination of claim 9 wherein said mid portions of the track parts haveopenings above said post portion sockets for receiving and passing saidlock pins.
 11. The combination of claim 1 wherein a clipboard is securedto the rear walls of said carts between said lock members.
 12. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein the side walls of the transportationvehicle oppose one another, and the carts are located along the opposingside walls of the vehicle with an aisle separating the carts.